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Published February 25, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.
Melody Neuman Cooke, 89, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, in Burlington, Vt. She lived a vibrant life, filled with adventure, curiosity and love.
Born on March 6, 1935, in Flint, Mich., to Gertrude and Russell Neuman, Melody enjoyed summers at a family cabin in Fenton. There she rode horses, swam, fished, played games and watched clouds in the sky. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, majoring in business, where she met her husband, Richard Cooke. They married in 1956 and had a
daughter and son.
Melody cofounded a professional recruiting agency, Alden Associates, in Rockville, Md., in 1968, which she successfully ran with Richard until their retirement in 1988. She was pivotal in modernizing the business and was an early adopter of computer technology. After retirement, Melody embarked on new adventures, assisting her daughter with a women's outdoor apparel
company and working at Deer Valley Resort in Utah. She and Richard enjoyed skiing in Colorado and traveling around the country in a pop-up camping trailer. She traveled extensively after Richard’s passing, gathering unforgettable experiences and forming meaningful connections worldwide.
An adventurous spirit, she rode motorcycles, piloted planes and loved Healey sports cars. She expressed her creativity through photography, graphic design, cooking and colorful clothes. She cared about the world and others, made people laugh, and loved to laugh with them. Melody embraced life to the fullest and continued to thrive in Vermont after moving there in 2010.
Melody is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Cooke, and son-in-law, Thomas Lucas. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard Cooke, and their son, David Cooke.
A celebration of life will be held on April 19, 2025, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Shelburne Town Hall, 5240 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather to honor Melody’s remarkable life.
May Melody’s memory bring comfort to all who knew her and inspire others to live with the same curiosity and passion that defined her extraordinary journey.
Born on March 6, 1935, in Flint, Mich., to Gertrude and Russell Neuman, Melody enjoyed summers at a family cabin in Fenton. There she rode horses, swam, fished, played games and watched clouds in the sky. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, majoring in business, where she met her husband, Richard Cooke. They married in 1956 and had a
daughter and son.
Melody cofounded a professional recruiting agency, Alden Associates, in Rockville, Md., in 1968, which she successfully ran with Richard until their retirement in 1988. She was pivotal in modernizing the business and was an early adopter of computer technology. After retirement, Melody embarked on new adventures, assisting her daughter with a women's outdoor apparel
company and working at Deer Valley Resort in Utah. She and Richard enjoyed skiing in Colorado and traveling around the country in a pop-up camping trailer. She traveled extensively after Richard’s passing, gathering unforgettable experiences and forming meaningful connections worldwide.
An adventurous spirit, she rode motorcycles, piloted planes and loved Healey sports cars. She expressed her creativity through photography, graphic design, cooking and colorful clothes. She cared about the world and others, made people laugh, and loved to laugh with them. Melody embraced life to the fullest and continued to thrive in Vermont after moving there in 2010.
Melody is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Cooke, and son-in-law, Thomas Lucas. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard Cooke, and their son, David Cooke.
A celebration of life will be held on April 19, 2025, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Shelburne Town Hall, 5240 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather to honor Melody’s remarkable life.
May Melody’s memory bring comfort to all who knew her and inspire others to live with the same curiosity and passion that defined her extraordinary journey.
